Networks of Impact: Leveraging Social Capital and Social Networks for the Social Integration and Well-Being of Immigrants
A special issue of Social Sciences (ISSN 2076-0760). This special issue belongs to the section "International Migration".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 15
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The global movement of people is a defining feature of our time, making the successful integration of immigrants a paramount concern for host societies. While a substantial body of research has examined the role of social networks and social capital in this process, a critical gap remains. Often, these studies stop at diagnosis, describing the structure and function of networks without explicitly linking them to tangible, measurable improvements in the well-being of immigrant populations.
This Special Issue of Social Sciences addresses the critical intersection of social networks, social capital, and the social integration of immigrants through the explicit lens of social impact. Guided by the principle that research should lead to a measurable improvement in people's lives, we solicit contributions that go beyond theoretical analysis to demonstrate how social ties are being successfully mobilized or taken into account within programs, policies, or interventions to make a positive change and for the social integration of immigrants.
We welcome the submission of empirical studies (using qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods), systematic reviews, and policy analyses that provide evidence of how social networks and social capital have been harnessed to
- Facilitate access to essential services (healthcare, housing, justice);
- Foster sustainable economic integration and combat deskilling;
- Enhance mental health and psychosocial well-being;
- Promote intercultural dialogue and reduce prejudice;
- Empower immigrant communities to participate in civic and political life.
This Special Issue aims to create a seminal collection of work that not only advances academic understanding but also serves as a practical toolkit for creating more effective, evidence-based integration strategies. We are particularly interested in research where to some extent the improvement is co-defined, co-experienced, and co-created by the immigrant communities themselves.
Prof. Dr. Roger Campdepadrós-Cullell
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Social Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- immigration
- social integration
- social networks
- social capital
- social impact
- social inclusion
- social cohesion
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
